I been forked.... and I like it!

[B.D.F.]

Got a tip from Lather (Thanks Bob!) about some ZX 1400 fork ass'ys available on Ebay. They are new 'take offs' meaning they were never ridden but taken off of brand new ZX 14s, almost certainly purchased for the engines in them and the rest parted out. Anyway, supposedly brand new, and they certainly do look brand new, complete forks and triple trees for $400 delivered- not bad at all.



The only defect I can see is that the hole where KiPass goes in not nearly big enough but I will not use the top triple clamp anyway:


As my bike is approaching 100K miles and I am sure could use some suspension maintenance / repair, this is a great deal I think. I will just replace the forks outright. ZX and Concours  forks are the same except for the fact that ZX forks have compression damping adjustment, they are gold anodized and they have lighter springs in them. I will probably have to put stiffer (easy boys!) springs in these forks but I am going to try them out just as they are first. The worst thing that can happen is that they will be mushy; I will of course be careful to check to see how far they are compressing without bottoming them out.

Brian

[Rembrant]

Hey,

Nice score Brian,

They'll be a nice upgrade. Stock C14 springs are 1.2kg/mm and the ZX14 springs are 0.9kg/mm. Easy enough to swap around though.

Be sure to let us know how they feel;).

Cheers,
Rem

[The Pope]

Do they have the holes for the front wheel ABS sensor?

[B.D.F.]

I do not know- I have a C-14 without ABS so I have never paid attention to where the sensors mount.

I do have something to put in all the holes that the forks have so I suspect not (insert joke after 'holes').

Brian

Do they have the holes for the front wheel ABS sensor?

[The Pope]

Can you post a photo of the black casting on the lower right fork (where the wheel mounts) please. 
That's where the holes would be if they are there.

[ZG]

Can you post a photo of the black casting on the lower right fork (where the wheel mounts) please. 
That's where the holes would be if they are there.

I think Pope is hoping to see something like this... Right? 

[Rembrant]

Can you post a photo of the black casting on the lower right fork (where the wheel mounts) please. 
That's where the holes would be if they are there.

The ABS sensor boss castings are usually there, just not drilled and tapped.

Look at the zx14 forks in this auction...you can see that the casting is there on the RH fork leg:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-07-KAWASAKI-NINJA-ZX14-ZX1400A-FRONT-SUSPENSION-FORKS-/400703100700?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AKawasaki&hash=item5d4bc4171c&vxp=mtr

[Cuda]

Not sure WHY but I bought a set also  I only have 12,000 miles on mine ?
I e mailed KFG racing about different springs and what ever they do?
Also a Penske rear shock , when are you going to install yours I would like to hear how you like it stock . 

[B.D.F.]

Happy to- is that what you want?



There is a blind boss (not drilled or tapped) facing the wheel on the right / lower fork. Is that where the ABS sensor mounts?

If this is not the view / angle / side you want, just say so and I will do what is needed to get you that information.

Brian

Can you post a photo of the black casting on the lower right fork (where the wheel mounts) please. 
That's where the holes would be if they are there.

[stevewfl]

Wow nice!  What year ZX14 are those from?

[jsa]

1.  Buy ZX-14 forks off eBay

2. Drill hole on right fork for ABS sensor

3.  Replace ZX-14 .90 KG springs with 1.0 KG springs from Sonic Springs

4. Increase ZX-14 fork spacer by 10mm

5. Replace old fork oil with 85/125 suspension fluid.

6. Upgrade rear shock to complement ZX-14 fork upgrade.

7. Enjoy your plush ride and improved handling.

[ZG]

Happy to- is that what you want?



There is a blind boss (not drilled or tapped) facing the wheel on the right / lower fork. Is that where the ABS sensor mounts?

If this is not the view / angle / side you want, just say so and I will do what is needed to get you that information.

Brian

Doesn't the sensor need to mount to the outside? 

What's the other side of that fork look like Brian? 

[The Pope]

Happy to- is that what you want?



There is a blind boss (not drilled or tapped) facing the wheel on the right / lower fork. Is that where the ABS sensor mounts?

If this is not the view / angle / side you want, just say so and I will do what is needed to get you that information.

Brian

That's good enough Brian.

Like Rembrant stated, the boss is there in the casting, but it hasn't been drilled out to accept the sensor or the retaining screw.

So anyone with a C14 that has ABS brakes that buys these will need to have these holes added to these forks.

[B.D.F.]

The other side (the outside) has the outline of the sensor cast in the fork. As Pope said, it needs the sensor hole drilled and two holes drilled and tapped to take the sensor. So to use these forks on a bike with ABS, the holes would have to be made- it could be done with a hand drill being careful. The actual depth of mounting (easy boys!) of the sensor, which is the critical part, is controlled by the aluminum casting thickness so that is built in. The holes could be a little bit 'off' and everything would still work so hand drilling is viable but it would take some skill and care.

I can take and upload a photo later.

Brian

Doesn't the sensor need to mount to the outside? 

What's the other side of that fork look like Brian? 

[B.D.F.]

Jay: Yes, the sensor mounts on the outside exactly the same as an ABS equipped C-14 and this is what the sensor location looks like:



Pope: Yep you are right but I figured it was easy enough to snap the photo for anyone else that was curious.  It is Photobucket that is being pesky at the moment.... :-(

Brian

Doesn't the sensor need to mount to the outside? 

What's the other side of that fork look like Brian? 

That's good enough Brian.

Like Rembrant stated, the boss is there in the casting, but it hasn't been drilled out to accept the sensor or the retaining screw.

So anyone with a C14 that has ABS brakes that buys these will need to have these holes added to these forks.

[ZG]

Jay: Yes, the sensor mounts on the outside exactly the same as an ABS equipped C-14 and this is what the sensor location looks like:

Perfect! Yep, that will work. 

[ZG]

You should do the Ohlins spring kit, here's a set on ebay.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ressorts-de-Fourche-Ohlins-7-0-Kawasaki-GTR-1400-ZGT40A-2008-2009-/121097679632?pt=FR_JG_Moto_Pi%C3%A8ces&hash=item1c31fbf310




Maybe also check with Dan Kyle, he might have some here in the States, he's a great guy to deal with and very knowledgeable, that's who I bought my Ohlins from. 


http://www.kyleusa.com/

[lather]

I had my set shipped directly to KFG racing/GP Suspension so I have not seen them yet. They will put in their springs and valves customized for my weight. Hopefully I will have them back soon.

[gPink]

 

[Racer Boy]

Are you guys talking about Kung Fu Grip Racing (KFG) in Auburn, WA? I had them do some work to my FZ1 forks, they do great work!